Information current as at October 2026.
NSW Skilled Visas for Medical Professionals
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) for Medical Professionals
This stream is for Points-tested skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government. To find out if you are eligible and the process for the visa, please refer to our Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) (Points-Tested) Stream page.
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) Visas for Medical Professionals
Unlike the 189 visa, both 190 and 491 visas require skilled workers to be nominated by a state or territory government. The main difference between these two visas is that the 491 visa is a temporary visa (5 year validity). 491 visa holders have a pathway to permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa after living and working in a designated regional area for at least 3 years and meeting the minimum taxable income requirement. For more information, please visit our Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) page.
New South Wales
NSW skilled nomination for health and medical professionals in 2026-27
New South Wales runs its own skilled nomination program for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). For the 2026-27 program year, the position for health and medical professionals is:
- Subclass 190: open. NSW published its 2026-27 NSW Skills List on 15 October 2026 and expected to hold its first invitation round in the week starting 19 October 2026. Health professions feature strongly on the list, including registered nurses, midwives, medical practitioners, allied health professionals and, newly for 2026-27, dental practitioners, podiatrists and enrolled nurses.
- Subclass 491: closed. As at October 2026, all NSW 491 nomination pathways remain closed to new applicants and NSW has not yet released its 2026-27 Regional Skills List. NSW has said it will provide an update when more information is available. Applications lodged earlier continue to be assessed.
NSW does not accept direct applications for the 190. You lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect selecting New South Wales, and NSW invites the candidates it wants to nominate. NSW does not publish invitation round dates in advance, and meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee an invitation.
The NSW occupation lists that appeared on this page previously (the 2021-22 NSW Skilled Occupation List, the Stream 1 Combined Occupation List and the Preferred Region’s Occupation List for each NSW region) no longer apply. They have been replaced by the NSW Skills List (for the 190) and the NSW Regional Skills List (for the 491), which NSW reviews each program year. For the full NSW criteria for all occupations, see our NSW State Nomination page.
NSW subclass 190: key criteria for health professionals
To be considered for NSW 190 nomination in 2026-27 you must:
- Occupation: have a nominated occupation that is eligible for the 190 visa and sits within a four digit ANZSCO unit group on the 2026-27 NSW Skills List (see the health occupations table below).
- Skills assessment: hold a valid positive skills assessment for that occupation from the relevant assessing authority (for example ANMAC for nurses and midwives, or the Medical Board of Australia for medical practitioners).
- Points: score at least 65 points on the Home Affairs points test, including the 5 points for state nomination. Your points score is one of the factors NSW uses to rank candidates, so in practice invitations usually go to candidates well above the minimum.
- Age: be under 45 when invited.
- English: have at least Competent English (for example IELTS 6 in each component), with a test result that is no more than 3 years old at the invitation date. Proficient English adds 10 points and Superior English adds 20 points. Note that AHPRA registration usually needs a higher English score than Competent, so health professionals often already hold Proficient or Superior results.
- Residence or work: meet one of these settings:
- you are working in NSW in your nominated occupation for at least 20 hours per week; or
- you live in NSW and have lived there continuously for at least six months; or
- you live overseas and have lived offshore continuously for at least six months.
- Work experience: NSW does not publish a minimum number of years of experience for the 190, but your total years of skilled employment is one of the ranking factors. You can only count experience after the date your skills assessment says you became skilled.
- Evidence: be able to provide documents for every claim in your EOI. NSW checks claims during the nomination assessment and can withdraw an invitation or refuse a nomination if claims are not supported.
NSW ranks EOIs within each occupation group using factors such as points score, age, English, education and skilled work experience. It does not publish minimum invitation scores.
Health and medical occupations: NSW Skills List 2026-27 and federal lists
The table shows common health and medical occupations, whether their ANZSCO unit group is on the 2026-27 NSW Skills List for the 190, and whether the occupation is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL, used for the 189 and also eligible for the 190 and 491) and the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL, used for the 482 Skills in Demand visa Core Skills stream and the 186 Direct Entry stream). Occupations not on the MLTSSL may still be eligible for state nomination through the Short-term Skilled Occupation List or the Regional Occupation List. The NSW Regional Skills List for the 491 had not been released for 2026-27 at the time of writing.
| Occupation (ANZSCO code) | Unit group on NSW Skills List 2026-27 (190) | MLTSSL | CSOL |
| Medical Diagnostic Radiographer (251211) | Yes (2512) | Yes | Yes |
| Medical Radiation Therapist (251212) | Yes (2512) | Yes | Yes |
| Sonographer (251214) | Yes (2512) | Yes | Yes |
| Optometrist (251411) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Hospital Pharmacist (251511) | Yes (2515) | No | Yes |
| Retail Pharmacist (251513) | Yes (2515) | No | Yes |
| Chiropractor (252111) | Yes (2521) | Yes | No |
| Dentist (252312) | Yes (2523, added for 2026-27) | No | Yes |
| Occupational Therapist (252411) | Yes (2524) | Yes | Yes |
| Physiotherapist (252511) | Yes (2525) | Yes | Yes |
| Podiatrist (252611) | Yes (2526, added for 2026-27) | Yes | Yes |
| Audiologist (252711) and Speech Pathologist (252712) | Yes (2527) | Yes | Yes |
| General Practitioner (253111) | Yes (2531) | Yes | Yes |
| Resident Medical Officer (253112) | Yes (2531) | No | Yes |
| Specialist Physician (General Medicine) (253311) and other specialist physicians (2533) | Yes (2533) | Yes | Yes |
| Psychiatrist (253411) | Yes (2534) | Yes | Yes |
| Surgeon (General) (253511) and other surgeons (2535) | Yes (2535) | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency Medicine Specialist (253912) | Yes (2539) | Yes | Yes |
| Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (253913) | Yes (2539) | Yes | Yes |
| Ophthalmologist (253914) | Yes (2539) | Yes | Yes |
| Pathologist (253915) | Yes (2539) | Yes | Yes |
| Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist (253917) | Yes (2539) | Yes | Yes |
| Medical Practitioners nec (253999) | Yes (2539) | Yes | Yes |
| Midwife (254111) | Yes (2541) | Yes | Yes |
| Nurse Manager (254311) | Yes (2543) | No | No |
| Nurse Practitioner (254411) | Yes (2544) | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412) | Yes (2544) | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) (254413) | Yes (2544) | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Community Health) (254414) | Yes (2544) | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415) | Yes (2544) | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) (254416) | Yes (2544) | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) (254417) | Yes (2544) | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418) | Yes (2544) | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) (254421) | Yes (2544) | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422) | Yes (2544) | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423) | Yes (2544) | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Surgical) (254424) | Yes (2544) | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) (254425) | Yes (2544) | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse nec (254499) | Yes (2544) | Yes | Yes |
| Clinical Psychologist (272311) | Yes (2723) | Yes | Yes |
| Psychologists nec (272399) | Yes (2723) | Yes | Yes |
| Dental Hygienist (411211) | No | No | Yes |
| Diversional Therapist (411311) | No | No | Yes |
| Enrolled Nurse (411411) | Yes (4114, added for 2026-27) | No | Yes |
Other health related unit groups on the 2026-27 NSW Skills List include Health and Welfare Services Managers (1342), Nutrition Professionals (2511) and Medical Technicians (3112). Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals (2513), Optometrists and Orthoptists (2514), Dental Hygienists, Technicians and Therapists (4112) and Diversional Therapists (4113) are not on the 2026-27 NSW Skills List. NSW can update the list during the year, so check the current list before you lodge your EOI. See also our Core Skills Occupation List page.
Sources: NSW Skills List as published 15 October 2026 (as reported by migration agencies, checked October 2026); MLTSSL from the Migration (Specification of Occupations) instrument, compilation dated 14 December 2024; CSOL from the subclass 482 occupation instrument, compilation dated 7 November 2025.
Priority health occupations and processing
NSW does not publish a separate priority list of health occupations for the 190. Instead, it selects candidates within each occupation group on the NSW Skills List, and health occupations make up a large share of the list for 2026-27.
At the federal level, healthcare is a top priority for visa processing. Under Ministerial Direction 121 (for the 482 visa) and Ministerial Direction 122 (for the 186, 189, 190, 191, 491, 494 and other skilled visas), which took effect on 19 September 2026 and replaced Direction 119, applications for occupations in the priority sectors (construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources) and for law enforcement and defence interests are placed in the highest processing tier. Healthcare is defined by ANZSCO codes and includes all Health Professionals (sub-major group 25) and Health and Welfare Support Workers (minor group 411), such as enrolled nurses. A health applicant is in the top tier whether they apply in or outside Australia. Priority processing does not guarantee a particular processing time or a visa grant.
Employer sponsored options for health workers in NSW
If you have a job offer from a NSW hospital, health service, clinic or aged care provider, employer sponsorship can be faster and more certain than waiting for a state nomination invitation. The main options are:
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) replaced the TSS visa on 7 December 2024. A NSW employer approved as a Standard Business Sponsor nominates you for a position, and the visa can be granted for up to 4 years.
- Core Skills stream: your occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (most nursing, medical and allied health occupations are, see the table above) and the salary must be at least the Core Skills Income Threshold, which is $79,423 from 1 July 2026, and no less than the market salary rate.
- Specialist Skills stream: for highly paid roles, such as many specialist doctors, with earnings of at least the Specialist Skills Income Threshold of $146,576 from 1 July 2026.
- You generally need at least one year of relevant work experience, and you must hold the registration needed to work in your occupation (AHPRA registration for registered health professions).
- Healthcare occupations are in the top processing tier under Ministerial Direction 121.
- After two years of work with your sponsor (time with any approved sponsor on a 482 can count), you can generally apply for permanent residence through the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream.
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
The 186 visa is a permanent employer sponsored visa.
- Temporary Residence Transition stream: for 482 (and former 457 or TSS) holders who have worked for their sponsor for the required period, usually two years.
- Direct Entry stream: for people who have not worked in Australia on a 482, or who are moving directly to permanent residence. Since 7 December 2024 the occupation must generally be on the Core Skills Occupation List, and you usually need a positive skills assessment and at least three years of relevant experience.
- You generally need to be under 45 when you apply. Some exemptions apply, including for certain medical practitioners and high income earners.
- Healthcare occupations are in the top processing tier under Ministerial Direction 122.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
The 494 visa suits health workers sponsored by an employer in regional NSW, which is everywhere outside the Sydney metropolitan area (including the Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong and inland NSW). It is a five year provisional visa. You usually need a positive skills assessment and at least three years of relevant experience, and you must be under 45 unless an exemption applies. After three years living and working in regional Australia and meeting the income requirement, you can apply for permanent residence through the subclass 191.
Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) in NSW
A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) lets employers in a specific region sponsor workers with concessions, for example on English, age or salary, that are not available under the standard program. In NSW, the Orana DAMA covers the Orana region in central western NSW (including Dubbo) and includes healthcare and aged and disability care occupations. In March 2026 the Federal Government declined a proposal to expand the Orana DAMA to other regional NSW areas, and the existing agreement, due to expire in April 2026, was expected to be extended for a further 12 months. DAMA occupation lists and concessions change from time to time, so check whether your health or care occupation is covered before relying on this option. Sponsorship under a DAMA is through the 482 or 494 visa.
Doctors: Medicare and provider numbers
Health Workforce Certificates are no longer required for employer sponsored nominations (the requirement was removed on 16 September 2023). Overseas trained doctors who want to bill Medicare generally need to work in a Distribution Priority Area or meet another exemption. See our guide for medical practice and hospital sponsors.
AHPRA registration: a key step for health professionals
Whichever visa you choose, you will need to be registered to practise in Australia if your profession is regulated. Registration is managed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the National Board for your profession, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Board, the Medical Board, the Physiotherapy Board or the Psychology Board. Registration is separate from your migration skills assessment, and it usually takes the longest, so start early.
- Check your registration pathway: doctors may be assessed through the standard pathway, the competent authority pathway or a specialist pathway (including the expedited specialist pathway for some specialists trained in comparable countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand). Nurses and midwives are assessed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board against its requirements for internationally qualified nurses and midwives.
- Meet the English standard: the National Boards set their own English requirements, which are usually higher than the Competent English needed for the visa.
- Obtain your skills assessment for migration: for example ANMAC for nurses and midwives, the Medical Board of Australia for medical practitioners, the Australian Physiotherapy Council, the Occupational Therapy Council, the Australian Pharmacy Council, the Australian Dental Council or the Australian Psychological Society. Some assessing authorities require registration or a registration pathway first.
- Keep your details consistent: the occupation in your EOI, skills assessment, registration and employment contract should line up. Victoria, for example, now checks that a health applicant’s occupation is consistent with their AHPRA registration.
Read more in our guide to International Medical Graduates and Registration in Australia.
Is the NSW 491 open for nurses and doctors in 2026-27?
Not yet. As at October 2026, all NSW 491 pathways are closed to new applicants and the 2026-27 Regional Skills List has not been released. The NSW 190 is open, and health workers with a regional NSW employer can also consider the 494 visa.
Can I be nominated by NSW if I live overseas?
Yes, for the 190. Offshore candidates can be invited if they have lived continuously offshore for at least six months. Candidates in Australia must be working in NSW in their nominated occupation for at least 20 hours a week, or have lived in NSW continuously for at least six months.
Do I need AHPRA registration before I lodge my EOI?
Not always for the EOI itself, but you need a valid skills assessment, and for some professions the assessing authority requires registration first. You will need registration before you can work in a regulated health profession, and employer sponsored visas generally require it. Starting the registration process early avoids delays.
Are health occupations processed faster?
Healthcare is in the top processing tier under Ministerial Directions 121 and 122, which took effect on 19 September 2026. This applies to visa applications lodged with Home Affairs, onshore and offshore. It does not guarantee a set processing time, and it does not change how NSW selects candidates for nomination.
How long do I have to apply after a NSW invitation?
14 days. NSW states that the invitation period will not be extended, so have your documents ready before you are invited. If NSW nominates you, you then have 60 days from the Home Affairs invitation to lodge your visa application.
What happened to the NSW occupation lists by region?
The region by region Preferred Region’s Occupation Lists and the Stream 1, 2 and 3 structure from 2021-22 have been replaced. NSW now uses a single NSW Skills List for the 190 and a NSW Regional Skills List for the 491, both based on ANZSCO unit groups and reviewed each program year.
Previous criteria (2021-22)
These images show the NSW 2021-22 criteria and submission windows. They no longer apply; see the current criteria above.
Related guides
- Industries We Work With: Health
- Employer Sponsored Visas Comparison for Registered Nurses
- Health Practitioners: Visa Options to Travel and Work in Australia
- International Medical Graduates and Registration in Australia
- Medical Practice and Hospital Sponsors Visa Options for Overseas Trained Medical Professionals
- Registered Nurse Pathway to PR
- NSW state nomination requirements
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
- Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
- Visa options for medical professionals
- Book a video consultation
Jamie Lim
Jamie is an Australian Regulated Migration Advisor (RMA 1799460). Jamie has extensive immigration services experience across multiple visa subclasses and specialises in employer sponsored visas. He has a wide range of experience in corporate migration, including employer-sponsored visas and immigration compliance, and has managed small to large multinational corporate clients. Jamie also has specific experience with medical professionals, skills assessments, state sponsorships as well as partner visas. Book a time with Jamie here.
Jamie holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Monash University. Jamie speaks Mandarin Chinese as a second language.
His specialities include but not limited to:
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ART Decisions Explained: Affirm, Set Aside or Remit
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